More cameras for BTR

A trap camera in Buxa

TT, Alipurduar, Nov. 2: Foresters of Buxa Tiger Reserve have brought 25 additional pairs of trap cameras to cover more areas of the forest in the fourth phase of tiger estimation.

The reserve already has 60 pairs of cameras.

Ujjal Ghosh, the chief conservator of forest who is also the field director of Buxa Tiger Reserve, said: "We have 60 pairs of trap cameras in the tiger reserve that have been installed already. We brought another 25 pairs today and those will be set up soon as the fourth phase of tiger estimation will start in the next few days. The phase would continue for 45 days. The pictures would be sent to the National Tiger Conservation Authority."

The first phase of the survey to ascertain the number of tigers in BTR began in January this year and this would be the final round.

A forest official said this time the NTCA would only accept direct evidence - pictures taken by the trap cameras.

The core area of Buxa Tiger Reserve is spread over more than 360sqkm and officials said at least 100 pairs of trap cameras were needed to cover it.

According to the All India Estimation published by the NTCA in 2014, there are three tigers in north Bengal.